Africa-Press – Seychelles. Minister Counselor Jacques Belle chairs the ceremony in the presence of the Seychellois diaspora
Every country in the world organizes an event on the occasion of their national holiday. In general, this event coincides with a milestone in its history.
In France, the 1789 revolution is the starting point for the celebration of this national holiday.
The law promulgating this holiday was passed following popular demonstrations causing the fall of royalty and its symbol, an old royal fortress called the Bastille. July 14, 1789 also marks the end of all slavery. This holiday salutes the Republic’s adherence to human rights and the rejection of all despotism.
The famous writer Victor Hugo intervened in the National Assembly to demand that all privileges be abolished. All municipalities and regions must organize popular festivals to please the entire population. Parades with lanterns, dance evenings and games are offered to the inhabitants. All those who have distinguished themselves during the year as well as the school children who have passed their exams are honored by the mayor, his councilors and the deputies. The winners receive a gift dictionary.
Africa begins to emancipate
A large part of the French-speaking, English-speaking or Portuguese-speaking nations for the most part obtained their independence during the first half of 1960. It must be admitted that this accession to freedom was very badly prepared. The government of these new nations has been proposed in a wacky way by appointing, sometimes to general surprise, an unknown president and above all incapable of leading a country. For a Léopold Cedar Senghor who led his country on the path of progress, how many have shown themselves incapable of knowing the aspirations of their people. Seen from afar, the Bokassa episode, a simple career soldier who was crowned Emperor, provoked bursts of laughter around the world. There was also the diamond affair with Valérie Giscard D’Estaing that we should quickly forget but that the poverty of the Central African people reminds us of with a certain cruelty. Valérie Giscard D’Estaing was all the same President of the French Republic when there were these misappropriations of diamonds.
On the Anglophone side it was not much better with Amine DaDa, the President of Uganda whose escapades went back to Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Since the year two thousand, Africa has been living better despite all the civil wars and the coups d’etat which have followed one another at an accelerated pace.
Seychelles became self-governing before independence
The Seychelles were discovered around the 1500s by Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese navigator. Ships from the East India Company passed near our archipelago which welcomed dangerous pirates. In reality, the real history of the Seychelles begins with the arrival of many French adventurers and envoys of the King such as Lazare Picault and Mahé de la Bourdonnais who gave his name to the main island of the archipelago. The latter invited navigators to settle in the archipelago in order to develop it. This is how Brayer du Barré, the former manager of the Rouen military school, proposed to colonize the Seychelles. On July 14, 1789, the date of the French Revolution, the twenty-three whites and the hundred or so slaves living in the archipelago decided to develop farming. In 1793 Jean Baptiste Quéau de Quinssy was appointed commander of the Seychelles. The latter left a great memory and it is a very good thing that the Seychellois Ministry of Foreign Affairs is installed in a building that bears the name of this fine diplomat.
In 1810, the English settled in the archipelago. In 1814 the Treaty of Paris ceded the Seychelles to the English. Subsequently the Seychelles will be administratively attached to Mauritius until 1903, also English. In 1835 the English will decide a beautiful action by abolishing slavery. The Seychellois, most of whom are exiles, come from different countries besides of course the English and the French, are in the process of organizing themselves. Political parties are created and the path to independence has opened up.
The first national holiday dates from June 29, 1976
James Mancham of the Seychelles Democratic Party, who in the meantime became Prime Minister of the archipelago, announced on June 28, 1976 at midnight that his country, the Seychelles, became independent. James Mancham’s party having won 13 of the 15 seats in the legislature. France Albert René will settle for two seats.
A year later on the night of June 5 to 6, 1977, a coup d’etat brought Albert René to the head of the Republic. James Michel became the third President in 2004-2016, then it will be around Danny Faure to take the helm of power in 2016-2020.
Perseverance always pays off. This is how in October 2020 the former opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan became the new President of the Republic of Seychelles after seven attempts. While remaining neutral, we are forced to note that the current defending champion has not changed in his electoral speech and it is therefore no surprise that WavelRamkalawana celebrated the national holiday on June 29, 2023. It is quite obvious that this stability in the conduct of the country has spread in Africa and around the world. We will long remember the hug from the winner to the loser, that is to say from WavelRamkalawan to Danny Faure, like two old brothers who appreciate and respect each other deeply.
Jacques Belle a great among the greats
As a voluntary shift, the 47th anniversary of independence was celebrated on July 1 in France. The theater was found, so the event was held at 51 Avenue Mozart within the embassy itself. It was an excellent initiative and the entire diaspora was able to find its place in this two-storey house with a very beautiful open-air terrace. Everything was settled like on paper… to music. The guests had traveled from all over France and everyone was smiling long before settling on the first floor of this beautiful building.
Paola Adelmann the daughter of the Honorary Consul of Italy in Rome had made the trip to represent her father. Honorary Consuls Virginie Mathieu (Lyon), Jean Claude Pech de la Réunion and Godley Gonthier (Martinique) were unable to attend. Barrie and Francis Herbet had made the trip to the French capital. Each guest was welcomed by Jacques Belle and Jeannine Lameiche, the manager of the embassy. As it should be, the evening began with the national anthem. This was interpreted by May Cécile Lajoie. The entire audience did not hesitate to give voice. It is worth remembering that this national anthem was created by David André, the great singer and musician who was mayor of Victoria for a long time, and Georges Payet.
After this moving introduction, Jacques Belle took the microphone to thank this beautiful singer as well as all those who prepared this magnificent party such as Elaine Naiken the embassy intern, Bruno Fernandez the driver and Faddy Kolifa the host.
The National Independence Day will continue…. In Normandy
Since October 2021, La Digue and Petit Caux in Normandy have been twinned… Last November around thirty Normans traveled to the Seychelles. After various events in Mahé, walking competitions, a meeting on sport and the Olympic Games, all the friends of this French region were welcomed at the Berjaya hotel for a Normandy festival where it was possible to taste Camembert, Neufchâtel, Pont L’évêque, cider or calvados…
From July 9 to July 19, 26 Diguois will be in Normandy for a stay which will naturally lead them to Petit Caux where Patrice Philippe, the mayor, and his collaborators have concocted a quality program. In addition to the visit of the twin city and all its institutions, the Seychellois Friends will discover the sports and cultural activities as well as of course all the administrative sectors distributed in the delegated town halls.
The guests will be accommodated in a very beautiful establishment located by the sea. A visit to the city of Dieppe and Rouen are on the program with in particular the discovery of the ports of maritime transport, fishing and pleasure. As everyone knows, a trip to France without discovering Paris would be an “unfortunate oversight”. A day before returning to the archipelago will allow everyone to appreciate the Champs Elysées, the beautiful neighborhoods and the unforgettable Eiffel Tower, the French site that attracts the most tourism. There is no doubt that every Seychellois will leave enthusiastic about their stay on French soil. This is also the goal of a twinning where the participants are always unhappy to separate after such a beautiful stay.
Source:nation
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